Senior Total Rewards Lead (Benefits & Compensation)

Crain Communications; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Crain Communications in Detroit seeks a hands-on Manager, Total Rewards to own benefits, retirement and compensation programs within a lean HR environment.

You will analyze costs, lead annual enrollment, manage vendor relationships and build salary models in Excel. This role requires strong communication, strategic thinking and execution across Payroll, Finance and HR teams. Hybrid work model is offered.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive Total Rewards, benefits, compensation or related experience.
• Hands-on experience with health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, leave/disability administration and compensation analysis.
• Proven ability to independently own programs, solve problems, and follow work through to completion.
• Strong vendor management experience, including holding partners accountable and resolving service issues.
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable with complex data, formulas, reconciliations and models.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills and executive presence, credible with senior leaders and employees.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day administration of benefits, retirement, disability and leave programs.
• Lead annual enrollment, renewals, plan changes and vendor implementations.
• Manage retirement plan administration, contributions, testing and audits.
• Review utilization, costs and vendor performance; propose plan design improvements.
• Support compensation processes: merit planning, salary reviews and incentives.
• Build models and scenario analyses to evaluate compensation decisions.
• Analyze Total Rewards data and turn findings into clear recommendations.
• Lead vendor relationships and renewals; ensure timely issues resolution.
• Support HR technology, payroll-related tasks and cross-functional projects.

Skills

Executive presence

Analytical skills

Excel advanced

Vendor management

Communication

Adaptability

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Workday/HRIS

Job description

Crain Communications in Detroit seeks a hands-on Manager, Total Rewards to own benefits, retirement and compensation programs within a lean HR environment.

You will analyze costs, lead annual enrollment, manage vendor relationships and build salary models in Excel. This role requires strong communication, strategic thinking and execution across Payroll, Finance and HR teams. Hybrid work model is offered.